Chaos, delays mark DR Congo elections

Voting in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s general election spilled into Thursday, overshadowed by widespread logistical challenges that plagued the process from the outset.

The impoverished yet mineral-rich nation grappled with issues ranging from delayed deliveries of election materials to polling stations that never opened.

Four concurrent elections were held on Wednesday, encompassing the selection of a president, national and regional lawmakers, and local councillors.

President Felix Tshisekedi, seeking a second term amidst economic concerns, faced a day marred by massive delays nationwide.

Electoral commission head Denis Kadima, acknowledging the problems, declared on national television that areas unable to vote on Wednesday would do so on Thursday.

Thursday morning witnessed voting in conflict-torn eastern regions, bringing a glimmer of progress. However, the extent of open polling booths remained unclear.

Kadima estimated that 70 percent of voters managed to cast their ballots, reflecting the daunting logistical challenge in a country as vast as continental western Europe.

The challenges were not limited to logistical hurdles, as an observer mission by Congolese Catholic and Protestant churches revealed.

Nearly a third of polling booths had not opened, and 45 percent of voting machines experienced technical problems.

Leading opposition candidates, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege and business magnate Moise Katumbi, voiced complaints of irregularities.

Amidst the chaos, Tshisekedi, the incumbent president, faced criticism for his stance on “foreign candidates.”

Accusing opponents of dual loyalties and insinuating ties with Rwanda, he aimed to consolidate his gains in a bid for a second term.

The elections unfolded against a backdrop of armed conflict in eastern DRC, where militias have plagued the region for decades.

Tensions escalated with the M23 group’s activities, and accusations against Rwanda for supporting rebels added to the complexity.

The violence-wracked east remained a focal point of concern, with M23 controlling significant parts of North Kivu province where voting was impossible.

As the nation awaits initial results by December 31, the extent of the logistical nightmare raises questions about the credibility of the electoral process, while opposition candidates reject the vote extension, calling for fresh elections.

The Constitutional Court is expected to announce definitive results on January 10, leaving the future of DR Congo’s political landscape in uncertainty.